TCUSD building citizens of the world
Cultural character structuring coupled with rigorous academics are key to success in life

Photo by Rosanda Suetopka Thayer

Photo by Rosanda Suetopka Thayer

TUBA CITY-Recognizing that academics are extremely important to a lifetime of achievement and success, the Tuba City Unified School District (TCUSD) also recognizes that commitment and contribution to community, family and peers are not just exclusively Native values but lifetime character traits that lead directly to a lifetime of success.

Each school year, TCUSD plans and requests local Native cultural presenters to work with TCUSD schools and give students a better understanding of what it will take to "contribute, give and partner" with other people in the world making it a more harmonious environment for everyone.

Three local cultural presenters, two from the Navajo Nation and one from the Hopi Tribe, were at both the TC Junior High and TC High School to talk with both students and staff members about cultural and tribal responsibilities and considerations.

Navajo Nation participants Stella Claw and Albert Laughter, along with Micah Loma'omvaya from the Hopi Tribe gave presentations throughout the day that provided students the opportunity to participate in the discussions, ask questions about their cultural heritage and student-aged responsibilities, as well as familiarize non-Native students about the ethnically rich environment that they are living in by reinforcing and supporting cross cultural exchange.

Claw gave her presentation to junior high boys and girls on the coming of age responsibilities for Navajo tribal members, ways to show respect for the opposite sex, utilizing tribal customs and suggestions for students to practice "K'e" in everyday activity.

"K'e" is the word for Diné clanship respect and is used between relatives to show kinship, creating a harmonious and supporting family, clan and an even a more supportive learning environment.

Hopi presenter Loma'omvaya also showed how respect and family, clan and village relationships factor into our everyday lives by practicing "Kyavti" which literally means maintaining the highest degree of respect for and obedience to moral standards and ethics, and to not knowingly abuse, alter or oppose progressive order and the cycle of nature and the sacred manifestations of the creators teaching, and that a true Hopi is one who fulfills the meaning of "Nami'nagwa" by helping one another or to give aid in times of need without having to be asked to do so, or without expecting personal compensation.

Each of the presenters stressed that to realize a personal dream of success, one must not only pray and work toward their own personal desires, but must also make a sincere commitment and work diligently towards bettering ones own community and cultural environment.

For more information about the cultural character building series and more about TCUSD academics, call TCUSD Office of Public Relations at 928-283-1185.

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